Top Strategy, third to Made In Japan in the Triumph Hurdle last March, earned another trip to the Cheltenham Festival when landing the Stanleybet Hurdle at Navan yesterday afternoon.
Trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by his son Ruby, the blinkered five-year-old gelding led approaching the second last flight but needed to be driven right out on the run-in to hold the renewed effort of market-rival Lissbonney Project by a head. 'He's a bit of a monkey but was entitled to win that off his rating and will go for either the Coral Cup or the County Hurdle, depending on which he gets into,' said Walsh senior.
Ruby heads the jockeys championship on the 90 winner mark having earlier initiated a double on Johnstown Lass in the two miles maiden hurdle. The 33/1 newcomer Ballylough Lady looked set to record a shock when clear between the final two flights but Johnstown Lass stayed on really well from this point, and led inside the final 50 yards to score by two lengths. 'The way the race was run made it a test of stamina, and she will be suited by two and a half miles,' said trainer Philip Fenton of the former winning pointer.
Martin Mooney emulated the achievement of his illustrious colleague with a double, which also included a winner for his father Paddy. San Angelo made all in the beginners chase for a very convincing 12 lengths win, while Mooney adopted different tactics half-an-hour earlier as Dun Doire, available at 8/1 in the morning and 3/1 on the course, landed a gamble in the latest leg of the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle Series.
The Tony Martin-trained 6/4 favourite, a point-to-point winner and appreciating the step up in trip to two and a half miles, was very confidently ridden as Mooney waited until well up the run-in before easing his mount to the front for a cheeky half length verdict over Georges Boy.
Martin also got in on the act with a double as Beau Colina was another from the yard to justify strong support (7/4-11/10) in the 2m1f handicap chase. Paul Carberry produced him to challenge in the straight, and the 8yo was kept up to his work on the run-in to hold the staying on Native Ray by 1 1/2L.
Conor O'Dwyer proved an able deputy for Davy Russell, sidelined after a fall here on Sunday, on Mandm in the three miles maiden hurdle. Pat O'Connor's charge led before halfway, and stayed on gamely in the straight to beat Lovely Present by four and a half lengths. 'It's hard luck on Garrett Cotter who would have rode him but for getting injured (broke a bone in his foot) at Thurles last week. Chasing will be his game, and we'll put him away when the ground changes,' said O'Connor.
Kevin Coleman and Francis Flood have teamed up to good effect this winter, and Shivermetimber added to their tally when stretching clear after two out to beat How Is Things by 11 lengths in the mares beginners chase.
Alan Magee
